how to describe critical thinking on resume

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How to Present Critical Thinking Skills on Your Resume

It’s no secret that employers want people who are adaptable, can solve problems, and contribute to the organization’s success. The difference between an employee who can do these things and one who can’t come down to one simple thing: they have great critical thinking skills.

So of course you’d want to tout these on your resume and all over your job application materials too. But there’s one problem. Critical skills aren’t always easy to put on paper. But there are a few ‘workarounds’ this post will show you! 

What Are Critical Thinking Skills?

Critical thinking skills stand for your ability to rationally process information, find connections between ideas, reflect, and draw conclusions. 

As a person with well-developed critical thinking skills, you are good at: 

• Correctly identifying and understanding problems.
• Analyzing information for relevance and accuracy.
• Using available information to formulate effective, empathetic, and rational solutions to problems.
• Identifying logical relationships and patterns between ideas.
• Recognizing complexity in problems and applying appropriately complex thought processes.
• Incorporating new information into their decision-making processes.

You use critical thinking skills in the workplace to solve problems, collaborate with others, resolve conflicts, and complete many leadership tasks.

Why Are Critical Thinking Skills In Demand By Employers

The “ Future of Jobs 2020 ” report states that employers listed critical thinking among the top skills and skill groups that will rise in prominence by 2025. 

In particular, the top skills employers will be searching for among new hires include:

• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving
• Active learning
• Self-management 

Why do these qualities trump hard skills in demand? Simple! Because they enable effective on-the-job learning. 

Employers realize that industries now operate at a breakneck speed with the ‘best practices’ constantly in flux. Respectively, it’s not always easy to find a candidate with the ‘freshest’ set of skills. But it’s easy to nurture such as long as they are good critical-thinkers! For similar reasons, 93% of employers actually state that they value strong critical thinking skills over the candidate’s undergraduate degree.

Additionally, critical thinking has emerged as an essential skill because of the sheer volume of data we encounter. Much of this information is accessed online and often comes from questionable sources. It takes a combination of digital literacy and critical thinking skills for workers to discern which information is reliable, and what can be dismissed as pseudo-science, fake news, marketing propaganda, outdated, or speculative. Employers need workers who can fact-check, evaluate, and process this information effectively.

List of Critical Thinking Skills For Your Resume

Let’s be real: you won’t convince hiring managers by simply stating, ‘I have critical thinking skills’ in your cover letter . It’s a fact you need to demonstrate via your duties and accomplishments. The best way to do so is to break down the “critical thinking skills” group into more concrete sub-skills such as: 

Analysis stands for your ability to effectively deal with the incoming information and translate it into insights. To analyze things properly, you must know how to source information, verify that it is valid, determine which data is relevant, and take an objective approach to draw conclusions based on that information.

Communication

Collaborating with others, discussing problems, and giving and receiving feedback is a critical skill for every hire. Show the employer that you can hold productive exchanges with people who don’t always agree with you, be persuasive, and critically process all the information others are sharing with you. 

Observation

This skill involves having a heightened awareness of your surroundings, understanding what you observe, and knowing the appropriate action to take. For example, they may notice a downward trend in productivity, and take action to address potential staffing issues.

Inference indicates your ability to draw conclusions based on a limited set of data. For example, the manager of a community pool may infer that an unseasonably hot day will mean that more people will order cold drinks from the concession stand. 

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving skills denote your ability to strategize the best solution to a given problem and evaluate the success of that solution after having implemented it. It requires that you can look at a problem objectively, and think through potential solutions in a methodical manner. 

Still not sure how to best frame your problem-solving skills? Check role-specific resume examples our career team has created for some real-life examples. 

How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are key for effective collaboration, continuous learning, and personal efficiency. If you feel that your skillset could do with an ‘upgrade’, try the following techniques.

• Practice information analysis: When trying to solve a problem, focus on getting all the necessary data first. Then, evaluate which ‘intel’ is accurate, important, fit-for-purpose. Toss other findings and work with what’s left. 
• Learn to give recommendations: Recommendations are synthesized findings — a feasible, data- or experience-based solution. Learn to formulate all your recommendations based on the above. 
• Challenge your biases: Everyone is prone to preconceived notions and assumptions. Unfortunately, these get in the way of critical thinking. Learn to recognize your own biases, and make a dedicated effort to put those aside when you innovate and solve problems.

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills to have to ensure your long-term “hire-ability”. Today, these skills are crucial for working with data, solving emerging market problems, and discerning truth from a growing volume of unproven information, circulating online. Tomorrow, critical thinking will become even more important as the future workforce will be primarily focused on “knowledge work”.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make reasoned judgments.

Critical thinking helps to think rationally and understand the connection between ideas. It helps to make sense of the world. Using critical thinking skills will make you challenge the loopholes.

For instance, it would enable you to find better solutions or ways to deal with existing issues, thus making you an asset. It is also why employers wish to find such people who think critically.

Read on to understand more about critical thinking, its importance, and incorporating such skills into your resumes.

Additionally, you can get a clear understanding of the following questions about critical thinking skills :

• What do you mean by critical thinking skills?
• How would you demonstrate critical thinking on a resume?
• What are the examples of critical thinking on a job?
• What are the 5 critical thinking skills?
• How to improve critical thinking skills?

What Are Critical Thinking Skills?

The skills that help us to analyze information, arguments, and situations are known as critical thinking skills. Critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from plenty of information and discriminate between information.

Why is Critical Thinking Important?

A critical thinker evaluates sources of information- data, facts, and research findings. For instance, you can research the pros and cons of having a balanced diet. A quick Google search will give you plenty of information on why it is good for your health or is not.

You can find data to back up either side of the claim. Then, using critical thinking skills, you decide for yourself if having a balanced diet will be more or less beneficial for you.

So, critical thinking is important both personally and professionally. It is a skill that is highly valued by employers as well.

Why is Critical Thinking Important In a Workplace?

Critical thinking guides good decision-making, helping you spot possible obstacles and discover solutions to them. It assists you and your coworkers in coming up with new ideas to achieve objectives.

Critical thinking helps in identifying, and addressing workflow inefficiencies, improving management practices, guiding financial decisions, and cultivating a strategic attitude.

Employers want critical thinkers to evaluate a situation using logical thought and offer the best solution. Hiring a critical thinker implies micro-managing is not required.

How Would You Demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills in Your Job Search?

Critical thinking and critical thinker are the go-to words for employers, so much so that they mention them in the job listing. So, it fetches you brownie points when you mention critical thinking on your resume.

But is that all? Not really!

So, how do you demonstrate critical thinking skills in your job search?

Use Critical Thinking While Looking for Jobs

Read the job listing carefully and decide whether it would be worth your time. In your job search, it might happen that the role is suitable but the working hours are not, or the remuneration is not competitive. Would it then be worth going through the hiring process only to reject the offer in the end?

Add Keywords to Your Resume

If critical thinking is a key phrase in the job listing, then emphasize critical thinking skills throughout your job search. Use critical thinking keywords such as analytical, problem solving, creativity, etc. Include the top critical thinking skills that best describe you in your work experience and resume summary.

Demonstrate Critical Thinking in the Experience Section

Mention prior experiences where you had to make a decision in a challenging situation. It could be an instance where you supervised a project when no instructions were given or where you had to prioritize between many tasks.

What impact did your decision have? Quantify the results you achieved due to the decisions you took and mention them as bullet points in the experience section.

Demonstrate Critical Thinking in the Resume Summary

Craft a resume summary that encapsulates your experiences and sprinkle keywords such as implemented, result-oriented, problem solver, and driven. Keep the resume summary short and mention the most valuable experiences that you have had.

For instance, a driven individual with 5+ years of experience in app development who has led a team of 10 and implemented complex changes in software for IT companies.

Mention Skills in Your Cover Letter

Include critical thinking skills in the body of your letter. Pick relevant situations and experiences that you highly value and challenge you the most. Give specific examples of times when you have demonstrated critical thinking at work.

Show the Interviewer Your Skills

You can use instances when you demonstrated critical thinking at work when answering behavioral questions. Use the STAR method or situation, task, action, and result method.

Discuss times when you were faced with challenges at work and explain how you applied critical thinking to solve them. Explain your thought process clearly to the interviewer.

Also read : Should I include my soft skills on a resume?

What Are the Examples of Using Critical Thinking on a Job?

Aside from hard skills that decide how skilled you will be at your job, soft skills decide how tactful you will be with your tasks. Having rich soft skills will ensure that you perform your tasks correctly with very little mistakes or setbacks.

• Deciding the precedence order of tasks : A critical thinker decides the order by which the tasks should be completed on the basis of urgency and importance.
• Deciding the best course of action : A critical thinker reviews the evidence and devises a strategy to reach the desired outcome.
• Deciding favorable inputs : A critical thinker decides which information, data, or materials (in case a project requires using raw material) that would be required to complete the task.

The Top 5 Critical Thinking Skills

The in-demand critical thinking skills must be added to your resume and cover letter. They should be emphasized throughout the application process, such as during interviews.

The most important critical thinking skills are:

It means carefully examining something- a set of data or a text. Critical thinkers examine information, understand it, and convey its implications.

Communication

You have to communicate with colleagues and superiors to share your ideas effectively. Often, you will have to share your conclusions with them one-on-one or in a group.

So, you would use critical thinking and communicate effectively to figure out solutions to complex problems.

Also read : How to leverage communication skills in a workplace?

Critical thinking involves creativity and innovation. You would spot patterns in the information or provide a solution that no one else has thought of before. It requires a creative bent of mind.

Open-mindedness

To think critically, one needs to put aside assumptions or judgments. You have to analyze the information you receive and be objective in evaluating ideas without bias.

Problem-Solving

It is another critical thinking skill that involves- analyzing a problem, generating its solution, and then implementing it. It also involves assessing the success of the plan.

Hiring managers don’t simply want employees who can think about information critically. They need employees to come up with practical solutions.

How to Develop Critical Thinking Skills?

If you catch yourself making rushed decisions with no real thought, don't worry because it is a skill that you can build. Use the seven-step rule to develop critical thinking skills:

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Choose to be precise while identifying the issue. The narrower the scope, the easier it is to find answers. You do not have to do it all on your own either, if there are coworkers with the same skill set as you, consult them so that you cover all bases.

Step 2: Gather Data

Find several sources of information that contain different ideas and points of view. Doing so will help you avoid hasty decisions and understand how to ensure integrity of choices by looking at it from all points of view.

Step 3: Analyze and Evaluate the Data

To analyze and evaluate data, you need to check the reliability of the sources from where the data is derived. Check if the conclusions are backed by data.

Step 4: Identify Assumptions

Ensure that you identify any underlying assumptions before you come to a conclusion. Consider others' assumptions from every angle along with yours to eradicate any biased decisions and to come up with the best solutions.

Step 5: Establish Significance

Include information that is useful and relevant. While conducting surveys, use a suitable sample size to determine if the outcomes affect many people.

Step 6: Make a Decision/Reach a Conclusion

Identify various conclusions that are possible. Decide which of them are sufficiently supported. Weigh their pros and cons. Making brash decisions can be risky as the lack of thought can lead you to lose resources in many ways.

Step 7: Present or Communicate

Present the conclusion to all stakeholders. Instead of being unprepared, try to structure your thoughts and develop an outline so that you do not miss out on any points. Articulating your thoughts correctly can earn you great respect in a workplace.

Key Takeaways

Critical thinking skills are applicable in both personal and professional lives. More often than not, they are mentioned in the job listings. Keep these points in mind while incorporating such skills into your resumes:

• Critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from plenty of information and are highly valued by employers
• If critical thinking is a key phrase in the job listing, then emphasize critical thinking skills throughout your job search
• Critical thinking would help you to decide the precedence order of tasks, the best course of action, and favorable inputs for a task
• Develop critical thinking skills by applying the seven-step rule

Use our career platform for a smooth resume-building experience. We provide a 24/7 online chat service for all your job & career-related queries. You can also reach out to us at [email protected] for any professional assistance.

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The 5 Best Critical Thinking Skills and How to Improve Them

You probably heard the sentence “put on your thinking cap” a lot when you were in elementary school.

While if someone said that to you as an adult, you probably would feel a bit offended, it is important to be able to  sit back and analyze a problem  and come to a solution.

Critical thinking is a great skill to have  in life and the workplace .

Nowadays, we are fully invested in social media and consuming a lot of data on a daily basis, having  the ability to process informatio n is essential.

Many jobs are the same, and hiring managers value someone who can take a problem and find a solution or find ways to improve productivity quickly.

By using a  resume builder , you can incorporate your critical thinking skills the correct way and impress a hiring manager.

By reading this guide you can  understand what critical thinking is,  how to include your skills in a job application, and have a look at some critical thinking skills examples.

What Is the Meaning of Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is  a way of analyzing data  that helps you to solve problems and make good decisions.

The meaning of critical thinking has to do with analyzing information by considering the validity of your ideas, opinions, and conclusions.

This type of analytical skill is necessary for you to take your ideas and opinions, and determine if they are valid.

With critical thinking skills,  you will be able to make better decisions  and improve your problem-solving skills.

Critical thinkers use evidence  found through research or experience to support or disprove ideas rather than accepting them at face value.

Critical thinkers  do not blindly accept claims  as true just because someone says so; instead, they evaluate whether those claims might be true based on the evidence available at hand (or should I say “online”).

They ask themselves questions like, what makes me believe this? Is there another way of looking at this situation?

Does this argument really hold water when examined from multiple viewpoints simultaneously?

Is there any reason why someone would lie about these facts?

Critical thinking helps you to know what is the truth or correct answer because it means that you will be able to  ask the right questions and analyze solutions .

Being able to harness these analytical skills can help you as an employee in various job positions and professions.

When discussing critical thinking as a job skill, hiring managers love to see a candidate that can  use these skills in the workplace .

Looking at some  resume examples  can show you exactly how to present those skills to a potential employer.

How to Be a Critical Thinker

It is possible to become a more critical thinker. This type of skill can be learned and improved over time.

It’s not an innate ability you’re either born with or not; rather, it’s a  process of evaluation  that you can improve over time.

Of course, one important thing you will need is patience! This is a very significant part of learning how to become a better thinker.

You may find yourself having trouble catching on at first; there are no shortcuts here!

You may not be a natural, but stick with it. Many people trying to learn how to think more analytically feel frustrated when they first start learning new skills like these.

Your hard work will pay off over time  as once-difficult tasks become easier and easier for you until eventually everything clicks into place and starts making sense. Practice makes perfect

To help you can find steps below you should take to become a developed critical thinker.

Critical Thinking Steps

To think critically  takes a process . By going through these steps when you have a problem you will be able to resolve your dilemma correctly.

When at work, this is especially important. When you go through the  correct problem-solving steps  one by one, you will be able to complete all the tasks your employer gives you.

Here is what you should do when using your critical thinking skills to resolve a problem:

• Determine the problem or dilemma : Be as specific as possible, and figure out why the problem exists, that way it will be simpler to find the solution.
• Gather details or data : Find stats or information from various sources related to the problem you are trying to solve.
• Review the data : Go over the information you have collected, organize it, and make sure it’s from a credible source and that you have enough to make an informed decision.
• Rank the data : List the information you have gathered from the most significant and relevant to the least significant.
• Create solutions to the problem : Test various solutions then go over the results.
• Analyze the solutions you have found: Review the results of your possible solutions to your dilemma.
• Improve your work : Find ways to improve your test results.
• Choose your answer and communicat e: Once you have found the answer to the problem, you must then present it to your team and manager in detail.

By following these steps  you can come to a reasonable answer  to almost any task you are given at work, and improve upon a problem your company is facing.

If you can give some examples on a resume that demonstrate using this process, hiring managers will be calling you in no time for an interview.

Just make sure you use a  resume template , so you don’t make silly errors when presenting your critical thinking skills on your job application.

Why Must You Have Critical Thinking Skills?

Critical thinking is a skill that is valuable to any professional in just about any field.

It is necessary for developing effective strategies, making wise decisions, and solving problems that an individual might face or the company.

Critical thinking allows you to know how to look for an improved solution when faced with a problem or situation.

It is not only essential in the workplace, but in  your daily life as well .

You should analyze information coming from sources such as social media or the news to figure out what is true and what isn’t.

As such, it’s one of the best skills you can develop if you want to improve your overall way of thinking.

Critical thinking allows us to  see things from multiple perspectives  – which enables us to find solutions that work for everyone involved in an issue instead of just ourselves.

This makes it easier for people who disagree on important issues because they’re able to get past disagreements by focusing on what’s the best overall.

By doing this you and other people you work or live with can go over data and information  together to come to the best solution  to a problem or issue.

Strictly applying that logic to the workplace, completing tasks with a group or on your own becomes much easier.

How to Include Critical Thinking in a Resume

To validate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to a hiring manager is to  place them correctly on a resume .

However, if you choose the wrong  resume format  there’s a good chance your job application ends up with a rejection.

To make your critical thinking skills stand out on your resume here are a few things you must do:

• List your skills.
• Explain how you used your skills in a previous job.
• Describe a problem you faced, and then explain what steps you took to solve it.

A good list of critical thinking skills to put on your resume include:

• Communication
• Observation
• Problem-solving

It’s essential not only to list that you have critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, or analytical skills, but you also are going to have to  back up your list with real examples .

Below are examples of what you should and shouldn’t put on a resume when providing proof of your critical thinking skills in past job descriptions.

“When working as a nurse, I always selected the best treatment for the patients”

This example shows that a solution had been found, in this case, treatment. However, it does not explain how the answer was found and what was done with these findings.

“After reviewing analysis from present cases, I determined the best treatment option for the patient. I then explained my logic and findings to the rest of the medical staff.”

This example displays that a solution was found based on analysis. Afterward, the findings were communicated to the other staff members.

These are all parts of the critical thinking and problem-solving process, and presenting an example like this on your resume will impress a hiring manager.

“Handled customer complaints effectively”

This example of someone who works in customer service is missing a lot of essential information on their resume.

It does not show how they handled complaints effectively, or if there was an improvement.

This is the example content

This example gives  quantifiable data  as well as speaks to your abilities. Adding these details could be the difference between a call for an interview or a rejection notice.

This is a fantastic way to explain what you did while working at your previous job. It shows that you used the necessary problem-solving steps and created a solution that improved productivity.

Coming up with a description like this for one of your past jobs will surely  grab a hiring manager’s attention .

Critical Thinking Examples During an Interview

If you write your resume and  cover letter  correctly, you will almost certainly get called in for a job interview.

When that time comes, it will be critical for you to know exactly what you should say when you need to show off your critical thinking skills.

You need to be ready for any question that could come up during the interview.

Here are some common interview questions that will test your critical thinking experience.

Question :  Describe a moment you realized there was a problem and work, and then solved it.

Answer: “ Our group had to meet a new deadline to finish the creation of our product. I listed our tasks, then ranked them by priority, and communicated with the group to discuss who would complete a task or tasks. We met the new deadline with our product.”

This example shows both evaluation and problem-solving when presented with a problem.

Question:  Describe a situation when you had to convince someone to take your advice.

Answer:  “The owner was sure we were making enough money with our bike tours. I analyzed our income and saw we were at a 15% deficit. I then created a presentation showing answers to customer surveys that proved we could increase our revenue by changing the route of our tour.”

By including an answer like this, you demonstrate your analytical skills and show you know how to communicate your findings.

When you can demonstrate these traits in your resume and during your job interview, it will be extremely difficult for a hiring manager to turn you down.

Top 5 Most Important Critical Thinking Skills

The all-important question is, what are the critical thinking skills that you must have in the  skill section  of your resume?

You probably can think of some critical thinking examples in real life if you try hard enough.

However, it would be ideal to  include skills you have used exclusively on the job  to solve problems and increase productivity or earnings.

By understanding what these skills are, you’ll understand what a hiring manager values in an employee that is a great critical thinker.

With that understanding, you’ll be able to nail your resume and eventually your job interview.

1. Observation Skills

A hiring manager would love to have someone that has great observation skills. With this type of skill, you can  identify a problem , then quickly create a solution.

If your observation skills are good enough, you can probably be able to see an issue before it even begins to negatively affect a business.

2. Inference Skills

This is a skill that has to do with taking data and information you have gathered and then  drawing the correct conclusion  based on that information.

You can  base answers on limited details , and that talent can be used in many professional settings.

3. Analytical Skills

You don’t need to be a scientist or a mathematician to be great at analyzing situations. Being able to  evaluate a situation  to find solutions to problems at work.

Hiring managers love employees who possess analytical skills, especially when considering who can be a team leader.

4. Communication Skills

Communicating your findings and ideas is essential to any company. Whether you are discussing data and solutions with your boss or coworkers, you need to know how to communicate.

Make sure you always listen  as well as speak, part of being a great critical thinker is to listen to the opinions of others.

5. Problem Solving Skills

This is arguably the most important concept of being a critical thinker. It’s not enough to be able to analyze data and information.

It is also essential that you can come up with solutions. An employer wants someone that can  improve their company , and being a great problem solver allows you to do just that.

Improving Your Critical Thinking Skills

Not everyone is a natural when it comes to critical thinking and problem-solving. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve on what you already have.

Since elementary school, we have had to learn how to problem-solve.

You may be rusty because you have been out of work for a while, or feel you can do better. There is always a way to improve your skills.

If you want to improve your critical thinking skills, here are some ways for you to start:

• Be open-minded –  Don’t jump to conclusions. Question assumptions and don’t take things at face value. Stay skeptical and ask, “why?” Be aware of your bias, don’t let it cloud your judgment.
• Be creative –  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Practice looking at issues from multiple angles by gathering evidence in support of or against an argument or hypothesis.
• Organize thoughts logically – Prioritize  and construct your thoughts, then write them down (or speak them aloud).
• Stay organized   –  Avoid getting confused by jumping around while explaining something complex.
• Consider multiple angles   –  Try out different approaches until one works best.
• Play games –  Buy or borrow games that require critical thinking, such as crosswords and Sudoku.
• Read books and articles   –  Read different material to improve your critical thinking skills because they require you to analyze what’s happening in each chapter of the story or article.

These are all easy ways for you to enhance your critical thinking skills. All of these methods require one thing,  patience .

You definitely will not become a problem-solving guru overnight.

It will take time, but after a while, you will notice the fruits of your labor in class, doing a group assignment, at a future job, and in other situations.

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Critical Thinking Skills To Advance Your Career: Definitions and Examples

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What are critical thinking skills?

Common critical thinking skills at work, examples of listing critical thinking skills on a resume, tips to improve your critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking is an ability you have to reason logically, rationally and reflectively. Critical thinkers can identify problems by observation and research, question assumptions and analyze to resolve issues. Managers value employees who use critical thinking skills in the workplace to become efficient problem-solvers. In this article, you’ll learn about critical thinking skills and see skill examples to help you get hired.

Critical thinking skills are thought processes you can develop that help you analyze problems and resolve situations in an analytical, unbiased way. Critical thinking skills are often used at work during problem solving, conflict resolution, collaboration, interpretation and in leadership tasks.  

Here are common critical thinking skills with definitions used in at work:

To be accurate is to be free of errors or discrepancies. This means you are careful to choose the right word, double-check your numbers and statistics, and be precise about times and places to the best of your ability. Accounting, for example, is a profession in which accuracy is crucial to ensure that the finances of a company are in good order. Accuracy is also important in the scientific research, engineering and pharmacy industries.

Information-seeking 

Information seekers actively search for data, through research and observation, for making decisions rather than relying only on personal preference or a desired outcome. Other professions in which information gathering is crucial include journalism and law enforcement. For example, an office administrator planning a holiday party cannot just make a reservation at their favorite restaurant; instead, they must seek out quotes, find open dates from venues and ensure each employee can attend before choosing a day. 

Logical reasoning

Logical reasoning is using rational connections between things, events and people to make conclusions. A judge is an example of a career in which logical reasoning is important. A judge has to collect a vast amount of information from a wide variety of sources, decide which information is most reliable, and come up with a verdict accordingly. Other professions in which logical reasoning is important include computer scientist and psychologist.

To evaluate is to judge the quality of something. You might do this every day when you decide whether or not something you want to buy is worth the price. An antiques appraiser has to look at an object, study its history and documentation, and decide its value. Financial advisors and building site inspectors are other professions that requires evaluation.

This skill requires you to use the information you’ve gathered and the conclusions you have made to make a reasonable theory for what might happen next. Predicting is different from guessing because you can use information like a past experience to help make your prediction more likely. 

For example, an oncologist uses past data, research and their own experience to decide whether chemotherapy or surgery might have the best results for a particular patient. Other examples of professions in which predicting would be a good critical thinking skill include meteorologists and business analysts. 

The best way to demonstrate your critical thinking skills on a resume is by showing how you have practiced them in the past. Here are some examples of how to list critical thinking skills in the work experience section of your resume:

Example of observation, research and problem-solving

‘Researched and implemented a mobile phone app that parents and teachers used to reduce school pickup wait times by an average of 17 minutes.’

Example of communication and creativity

‘Created an ice-breaker evening event for junior analysts that included a scavenger hunt and skits; the event has since become an annual tradition and spread to all four branches.’

Example of research, evaluation and implementation

‘Analyzed customer service feedback surveys to identify three major areas of improvement, and organized trainings and course material accordingly.’

Example of predicting, reasoning and problem-solving

‘Adjusted inventory effectively to prepare for hurricane season, saving the grocery chain $1.2 million in wastage and improving profits by 30 percent.’

Here are popular ways that you can develop your critical thinking skills: 

Ask questions

Ask a lot of questions. Sometimes a situation that seems difficult to solve may not be if you ask questions to find out where the problem is coming from. Questioning is a way to continually gather evidence and find out why other people think or act the way they do. For example, if your team members miss a weekly meeting regularly, you can ask what their challenges are in attending the meeting, and find a way to make sure each person can attend. 

Think about your thinking

 It is important to examine your own thought patterns and assumptions to see if any prejudice or bias affects the way you tackle a problem. For example, if you have always worked in an office, you may feel that a fellow employee who works remotely is less productive than you. If you examine why you are thinking this way, it could be that you have only ever worked from an office, which is why home is synonymous with relaxation. However, if you objectively analyze that employee’s output and compare it to others who work from both home and the office, you will get hard data with which you can prove or disprove your assumption.

This applies to thought, perspectives and people. Always approaching problems with one set of tools, or always relying on one person’s advice, can only lead you to the same result each time. For better results, research alternate methods, talk to others in similar positions and even examine the viewpoints of those who oppose you. For example, if you are tasked with making a bicycle delivery in a new part of town, you might talk to others who live in the area to find out about shortcuts and look up different routes on map apps until you find one that best meets your needs.

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How Do You Describe Analytical Skills on a Resume?

11 min read · Updated on December 11, 2023

Analytical skills are in high demand and can help you stand it out from the competition. But how do you communicate them in the right way on your resume? This blog will walk you through each step.

Challenges inevitably arise at work. Employers cherish employees with unique abilities to face problems and find solutions.

Analytical skills allow you to assess data and processes to find solutions that can boost productivity and address a company's challenges. Many job descriptions even include some form of analytical skills as a requirement.

It's one thing to possess problem-solving skills – being able to describe them clearly on your resume is another.  Anyone can say they are a “critical thinker” or that they “think outside the box,” but those cliched phrases are easily dismissed, especially if there are no accomplishments on your resume to support the claim.

How do you describe your analytical skills in ways specific enough to attract a reader's attention? How do you demonstrate that they have brought tangible value?

In this blog, we'll cover:

What are analytical skills?

Why do they belong on a resume?

Where to place your analytical skills on your resume

The skills that enable you to investigate a problem and find the ideal solution in a timely, efficient manner are known as analytical skills.

Analytical skills are used when detecting patterns, brainstorming, interpreting data, integrating information, and making decisions based on multiple factors. They can encompass both quantitative and methodical skills or more creative and innovative abilities. 

If you're unsure which analytical skills you possess, if any, take a detailed look at your accomplishments and your methods for getting the best results. You might have more than you think.

Here are a few analytical skills to get you started:

A creative eye can spot trends in data that others may not see. Creativity is also useful for problem-solving when the obvious solution is not always the best solution. Creative thinkers often find effective solutions to big problems.

Creative skills include: brainstorming, collaboration, optimization, predictive modeling, restructuring, strategic planning, and integration.

Critical thinking 

Thinking critically means being able to avoid the obvious. It refers to evaluating information and then making a decision based on your findings, often exploring even impossible angles to find a solution. Critical thinking is what helps an employee make decisions that help solve problems for a company. 

Critical thinking skills include: process management, auditing, benchmarking, big data analytics, case analysis, causal relationships, comparative analysis, correlation, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, diagnostics, dissecting, evaluating, data interpretation, and troubleshooting.

Communication

Once you have a solution, you have to communicate it to your colleagues so that it can be shared and implemented. Effective communicators know how to discuss patterns, conclusions, and recommendations. They know how to draw attention and inspire colleagues. If the goal is to find a solution as a group, good communicators also know how to lead teams in effective collaboration.

Analytical communication skills include: problem sensitivity, active listening, reporting, surveying, teamwork, oral communication, written communication, and conducting presentations.

Data analysis

Data analysis is the ability to systematize information in order to uncover patterns and dependencies. No matter what the career field might be, data analysis involves being able to examine a large volume of data and identify trends in that data. It goes beyond simply reading and comprehending the information to clarifying larger concepts and presenting conclusions for top decision-makers. It can also involve the ability to see past the data and find the “spaces in between”. Sometimes the data you need isn't obvious. You need not only to see what is in front of you, but what is missing. 

Data analysis skills include: observation, business analysis, SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), cost analysis, credit analysis, financial analysis, industry research, policy analysis, predictive analytics, process analysis, qualitative analysis, and ROI analysis.

Why are analytical skills important on your resume?

Facing and overcoming challenges is critical to a company's survival. An employee with analytical skills can find new solutions to problems that arise and can lead teams down new paths to bolster efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Decisions and actions are based on those skills. This is why the most sought-after employees and executives have a proven record of verifiable analytical skills. 

The ability to see trends, draw conclusions, and communicate options is a must in finances, data science, medicine, marketing, law, and many more industries.

That's why it's crucial to highlight what analytical skills you have for a potential hiring manager. But, simply saying you have “analytical” or “critical thinking” skills in a cover letter means next to nothing. Use your resume to demonstrate your skills in action.

How to demonstrate analytical skills on your resume

The keyword here is “demonstrate”, as in demonstrate the skill or skills in use. Countless resumes will use phrases like “critical thinker”, “communicator” or “solution-oriented”, but can you show how you've utilized a skill in a way that has brought value to an employer? 

Give examples of situations in your job where those skills lead to a solution

Describe a specific process you utilized

List major achievements enable by your analytical skills

Include specific training courses related to analytical skills

Use synonyms to avoid repeating “analyzed,” “analysis,” and “analytical skills.”

Where do I list analytical skills on the resume?

The summary.

The summary is a good place to introduce a skill that has served you repeatedly throughout your career. If you've assisted clients in analyzing their workflow, have often been called upon to find unique solutions, or are a manager known for leading teams through difficult situations, this is the place to introduce that.

Here's an example: Solutions-driven market analyst with 6+ years of experience consulting businesses on trends and products. Lead partner for Consulting Company X. Extensive experience with digital transformation. Revolutionized a client's reach by 20% by taking them online.

Work history

The work history is the ideal place to list analytical skills that lead to demonstrable successes. Here, you have the opportunity to use stats, percentages, and dollar amounts to show how your ability to assess and solve problems increased revenue, advanced markets, or led teams.

In the work history section, you're less likely to use the terms that define analytical skills and more likely to describe them indirectly by showing the success they've brought. 

Make use of the STAR (Situation–Task–Action–Result) model when selecting accomplishments to list in your work history. 

Situation: The employer wanted to achieve a target. 

Task: You were tasked with devising solutions to meet this target.

Action: What steps you took to perform the task. (also, what analytical skills you used)

Result: What was the result of your actions?

When phrasing the accomplishment in your work history, follow the ATM model: Action verb // Task // Metric . Here's an example:

Analyzed $80k/month marketing spend // to optimize reach ; // increased conversion by 15% MoM and d ecreased cost per acquisition by 20%

Take a look at the following example. This resume shows how this person's strong data analysis and market research skills helped advance his company into a new market; how their process analysis skills helped optimize their inventory system; and how their communication skills helped them train and manage staff. The words “invented” and “generated” also elicit creativity.

WORK HISTORY

Project Manager

Artus Springs - Phoenix, AZ

01/2017 - 02/2020

Developed a market entry strategy for the Northwest market, leading to $1.3 million in new market revenue in the first 2 years of operations

Increased stock turnover by 30% and KPIs by 15% by overhauling the inventory management process

Successfully managed a 5-member leadership team

Organized and led events with 40 suppliers

Recruited and trained  a diverse team composed of 100+ brand ambassadors

Invented cross-category marketing solutions, bringing +12% market advertising penetration

The skills section

Because analytical skills are often listed in job descriptions, hiring managers will look for them in the skills section. ATS systems will also scan the skills section to filter for resumes with relevant skills. So, if the job listing to which you are applying clearly lists specific analytical skills that you have, be sure they are listed in your skills section as well. 

Beyond that, it's important to list your analytical skills here in any case. But beware – less is more. Don't list every analytical skill in existence. The key is to list skills that specifically relate to the job or have a strong focus on the industry. Remember, it's crucial to tailor each resume to a specific job offer. That includes the skills section. For example, if the job posting doesn't explicitly list desired skills, look for keywords in the job description that might allude to helpful analytical skills. Is it a management position? Communication skills are a must. Is it a sales position that expresses a hope to expand markets? Market analysis and projection modeling are key.

Also, whichever skill you list in the skills section, be ready to be asked about it in an interview. Before you add a skill to your list, consider whether you can back it up with an anecdote, evidence, or achievement.

The next key is to strive for word choices that are as specific as possible. If the job description calls for “communication”, of course, list that. But is there a specific area of communication in which you excel? Do you have experience with “team management,” “surveying,” or “giving presentations”?

Remember there are both soft skills and hard skills that qualify as analytical skills. “Data analysis” can be trained, but “market prediction” is a skill developed with experience. When considering which analytical skills you possess, look to both categories.

See this example for a research assistant resume:

SPECIAL SKILLS

analytical skills

deductive reasoning

problem-solving

communication

qualitative analysis

quantitative analysis

strategic thinking

data management systems

A special achievements section

An achievements section doesn't occur on every resume, but there are a couple of reasons to include one. For example, an accomplishments section can be helpful if you have impressive achievements outside of the workplace, such as community organizing, volunteering, or hobbies with impressive, relatable skills. 

If you're in a senior executive position in your career, it can be helpful to add a Career Highlights section at the top of your resume, showcasing the many accomplishments you've achieved throughout your career.

On the opposite end, if you're just beginning your career journey, but have significant achievements in school or your community, an accomplishments section is a great place to list them.

If you're looking to use this section to highlight your analytical skills, make sure to focus on accomplishments with demonstrable results.

See the examples below.

Example #1: outside the workplace

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Raised $10,000 for lymphoma research through community fundraisers

Created annual “Feed the Homeless” events within my community, raising $1,500 avg.

Led Girl Scout Troops on hikes of the full length of the Appalachian Trail in 2018-2022

Example #2: career highlights

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Led a team of 15 employees in a local call center location for more than 5 years

Created and implemented a new training program which resulted in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction

Managed an international customer service team of 25+ employees

Implemented Lean Management directives at company X, which cut overall operating cost by 35%

Example #3: recent graduate

EXTRACURRICULARS

Tutored SAT and ACT improving their test scores by 40% for the average student.

Tutored 4 students in linear algebra, helping them improve by two grades on average.

Organized debate club travel logistics for away meets.

Analytical skills in your education section

If you have a degree, advanced training, or other qualification that could help demonstrate analytical skills, make sure you list it in your education section. Majors in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or statistics demonstrate analytical skills. If you're a recent graduate, include relevant minors. If the job is specifically looking for particular skills and you've taken seminars or have received certifications for new skills, be sure to highlight them under education.

Davis University, Bachelor of Science

Major in Computer Science

Minor in Statistics

Teaching assistant Sept 2019 - May 2020

Analytical skills are in high demand. Understanding how to communicate yours effectively on your resume will help you stand it out from the competition. Be specific and authentic. 

Analytical skills are those skills that allow you to discover patterns, think critically and find unique solutions for success. Consider not only your greatest achievements but also your day-to-day successes when looking for your analytical skills. 

TopResume understands that talking about skills and achievements can be a difficult challenge. Reach out to our expert team of resume writers to help build your resume that successfully highlights your skills. 

Recommended reading:

What's an ATS-Friendly Resume? And How to Write One | TopResume  

How to Write a Chronological Resume (Tips + Examples) | TopResume  

Resume Objective Examples That Get You Hired | TopResume

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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Critical Thinking Skills for a Resume

Critical thinking skills are the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Critical thinking could be described as the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. It requires you to use your ability to reason.

For example, you can research the pros and cons of running two miles a day. A quick Google search will give you plenty of information for and against this idea. Reasons why it is good for your health and reasons why it is hard on your body. You can find data and research to back up either side of the claim. Then, using critical thinking skills, you decide for yourself if running two miles a day will be more or less beneficial for you personally.

Related :  Personal Qualities Employers are Looking For

Why are critical thinking skills important on a resume?

Critical thinking is the only way to make sense of the world. You’ll constantly challenge what seems given. For example, in your job, even if something appears to be functioning properly, critical thinking will help you try and identify new, better  solutions.

Employers and hiring managers want to be sure you can process what is going on around you and use that information in your career. Critical thinking skills are the cornerstone of self-development and improvement. That’s why they’re so critical  to have in today’s job market.

The Seven Steps of Critical Thinking

1. Identify the problem or question.  Be as precise as possible: the narrower the issue, the easier it is to find solutions or answers.

2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments.  Try to find several sources that present different ideas and points of view.

3. Analyze and evaluate the data.  Are the sources reliable? Are their conclusions data-backed or just argumentative? Is there enough information or data to support the given hypotheses?

4. Identify assumptions.  Are you sure the sources you found are unbiased? Are you sure you weren’t biased in your search for answers?

5. Establish significance.  What piece of information is most important? Is the sample size sufficient? Are all opinions and arguments even relevant to the problem you’re trying to solve?

6. Make a decision/reach a conclusion.  Identify various conclusions that are possible and decide which (if any) of them are sufficiently supported. Weigh the strengths and limitations of all possible options.

7. Present or communicate.  Once you’ve reached a conclusion, present it to all stakeholders.

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How to Highlight Problem-Solving Skills on Your Resume (+ Examples)

3 key takeaways

Understanding problem-solving skills.

• How to incorporate problem-solving skills into your resume with the Teal AI Resume Builder
• Types of problem-solving skills and problem-solving skills resume examples

Good problem-solving skills are useful in virtually any job. 

Whether you're in engineering, healthcare, finance, or any other field, you'll encounter challenges that require coming up with ideas to approach crisis situations. 

This makes it a great skill for your resume—and employers are also more likely to trust you with greater responsibilities if you've proven yourself as a problem solver in the past.

Below, you’ll learn about seven types of problem-solving skills that can help you stand out in the job market, why they’re important, and how to effectively showcase them on your resume.

Problem-solving skills are your ability to address challenges and obstacles effectively.

These skills involve analyzing the situation, identifying potential solutions, and implementing the most effective one. They combine critical thinking, creativity, and practicality, enabling you to tackle issues head-on and develop workable solutions.

Why employers value problem-solving skills

Employers highly value problem-solving skills because they're important for navigating the complexities of the modern workplace.

When challenges arise (and they inevitably will), employers rely on people who can approach these situations methodically and creatively. Effective problem solvers help maintain productivity, drive innovation, and contribute to a positive work culture.

7 problem-solving skills for your resume (+ examples)

1. analytical skills.

Before you can solve a problem, you need to know what the problem is.

Your resume analytical skills help you dissect complex issues to identify the underlying causes. This is the first—and perhaps most crucial—step in the problem-solving process. 

Problems often come with data that need to be interpreted. Whether it's sales figures, customer feedback, or technical reports, analytical skills help you make sense of the data, allowing you to better understand the scope of the problem.

Employers value candidates who can critically assess situations, break them down into smaller parts, and identify patterns or causes. When you’re preparing your resume, be sure to mention instances when you've analyzed complex problems, identified root causes, or used data-driven approaches to suggest potential solutions.

Analytical problem-solving skills examples

• Analyzed sales trends over 12 months, identifying key patterns that led to a 15% increase in targeted marketing effectiveness.
• Conducted detailed customer feedback analysis, which influenced product development, resulting in a 20% decrease in customer complaints.

2. Creativity

Traditional methods may not always provide the best solutions to complex or novel problems.

Creative thinking enables you to think outside the box and develop innovative and effective solutions that others might not see. It allows you to quickly adjust your problem-solving approach to suit different kinds of challenges, making you a more versatile and valuable candidate during job applications.

In a fast-paced work environment, the ability to adapt and develop creative solutions is highly valuable. Creative and critical thinking can set you apart from other candidates, making you more memorable to employers.

To demonstrate problem-solving skills on a resume, you can describe challenges where traditional solutions didn't work and your creative approach led to success.

Creative problem-solving skills examples

As an innovative Data Analytics Project Manager, I bring a unique blend of creative problem-solving, advanced data analysis, and Agile methodology. With a history of using creativity to tackle complex challenges, I've significantly improved efficiency and effectiveness in 100% of my positions. Known for thinking outside the box, I've developed novel solutions where traditional methods fall short, as demonstrated by a 40% increase in process efficiency in my most recent role through innovative strategy implementation.

3. Research

Researching skills often indicate a commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends and information. They also help demonstrate a natural curiosity and a desire to understand the root cause of problems.

Be sure to describe situations where the research experience on your resume directly influenced key decisions or strategies. List certifications, courses, or workshops you've attended that required extensive research.

Research problem-solving skills examples

• Conducted market research to identify emerging trends, leading to the development of a new product line that increased company revenue by 25%.
• Developed a research-based proposal for waste reduction that was implemented company-wide, resulting in a 30% decrease in waste generation.

4. Decision-making

Problem-solving skills often involve generating multiple potential solutions.

Decision-making is the step that allows you to evaluate these options and choose the most effective action plan. It's what moves the process from theoretical to practical, enabling implementation.

But with complex problems, decisions aren't always final. Once a decision is made and implemented, you can collect data on its effectiveness. This feedback loop is important for workplaces that prioritize continuous improvement, making you a valuable candidate during a job search. 

Employers look for candidates who can make informed decisions, especially under pressure or in ambiguous situations. When crafting a resume, be sure to describe leadership roles or situations where your decisions guided team strategies or changed the course of projects.

Decision-making problem-solving skills example

Recipient of the "Project Excellence Award" for consistently making critical decisions under pressure, resulting in 100% on-time delivery of 12 projects.

5. Communication

Miscommunication can derail the entire problem-solving process. Effective communication skills help team members clearly articulate problems, ensuring that everyone understands the issue at hand.

Problem-solving is often a collaborative effort that requires the input and cooperation of multiple team members. Communication fosters a sense of teamwork that’s especially important in remote settings where one-on-one interaction is challenging.

Besides your team members, problem-solving often involves roping in multiple stakeholders, including management, employees, and sometimes even clients or customers. Your communication skills help your resume stand apart by demonstrating your ability to coordinate with all these different people in a timely and effective manner.

Communication problem-solving skills examples

• Negotiated with vendors and third-party providers, securing services at an average of 15% below budget without compromising quality.
• Presented project proposals and post-project reviews to senior management, securing approval for 90% of proposed initiatives.

6. Collaboration

By showcasing collaboration skills on a resume , you present yourself as a candidate who can coordinate with multiple team members with minimal strife or friction. This is very important to smaller teams in tightly-knit workplaces, such as early-stage startups and small businesses.

To properly emphasize your collaboration skills, describe projects where you worked as part of a team in the experience section of your resume. Mention the team's size, diversity (if relevant), and the project's outcome. 

Collaboration problem-solving skills example

As an innovative Software Engineer with expertise in Java and Full-Stack Development, I bring a blend of technical proficiency and strategic problem-solving to every project. My experience includes a pivotal role in a team of 8 engineers, where we collaboratively developed and launched three new software products, resulting in a substantial 25% increase in company revenue. My advanced skills in Java programming and comprehensive full-stack development have enabled me to contribute effectively across all stages of the software development lifecycle. This skill set, combined with a creative and analytical approach to problem-solving, allows me to adapt to evolving project needs and technological landscapes effectively.

7. Planning

Planning helps you set clear objectives for problem-solving.

Knowing what you aim to achieve makes it easier to prepare the action plan needed to reach there. Conceptual skills like planning also allow you to allocate resources like time, workforce, and materials efficiently. 

All of these are prized skills for any leadership or management role. For roles that need self-starters who can work with minimal supervision, planning skills are one of the first things that employers look for in a candidate.

If you want to demonstrate your planning skills in a resume, describe projects or tasks where planning was crucial to success. 

Mention the scope of the project, the tools or methods you used, and the outcome. If you've used tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or other project management software, be sure to include them, too.

Planning tools for problem-solving examples

• Microsoft Project
• Mind Mapping
• SWOT Analysis

How to add problem-solving skills to your resume

When it comes to showcasing your problem-solving skills on your resume, it's all about how you frame your experiences and skills.

Let's break it down.

Use the right tools

You need the right tools before you start writing your resume section by section and adding your problem-solving skills.

The free Teal AI Resume Builder offers one platform to create, write, update, align, and improve your resume.

With Teal, managing your experience and skills becomes organized and straightforward, simplifying your resume writing step by step.

Start with your professional summary

Begin with a strong professional summary that showcases your career achievements.

This section should aggregate your experience and highlight your most significant accomplishments, particularly those demonstrating your problem-solving abilities.

For example, you could mention leading a challenging project to a successful conclusion or innovating a process that significantly improved efficiency along with the metrics and results to underscore the impact of your actions.

These details illustrate your problem-solving skills and provide a concrete measure of your effectiveness in previous roles.

Focus on work experience

In your "Work Experience" section, it's important to focus not just on what you did but how you did it.

When describing each role, emphasize how you used your problem-solving skills to make an impact. This could include resolving complex issues, implementing new systems, or improving existing processes.

Be sure to use action verbs like "analyzed," "resolved," or "implemented" to add energy to your descriptions. Additionally, quantify your achievements wherever possible to provide a clear sense of your impact.

Incorporate a "Skills" section

Your resume "Skills" section should list the tools or methods you've used in problem-solving instead of soft skills like "problem-solving," "communication skills," or "decision-making skills."

Instead, list technical skills like "data analysis," "Trello," and "Google Analytics" to give a clear picture of your abilities and how you apply them to solve problems.

Well, by listing your hard skills, you can help prospective employers understand the exact tools you're proficient in and how you can apply these skills in a practical work environment. By being specific, you demonstrate a tangible and direct connection between your skills and real-world problem-solving.

Add education, projects, volunteer experience, and more

Don't overlook other parts of your resume, like education, projects, or volunteer experience. These additional sections can be a goldmine for showcasing your problem-solving skills.

For example, if you worked on a complex project during an internship, outline how you navigated challenges or introduced innovative solutions. Similarly, in a volunteer role where you tackled a significant issue, describe the steps you took and the outcome you achieved.

These experiences can effectively demonstrate your ability to apply problem-solving skills in diverse settings, offering further evidence of your value as a potential employee.

Pro Tip: The Teal AI Resume Builder offers expert guidance for every resume section, so you don't miss any important details hiring managers and recruiters might be looking for.

Structure your resume to highlight problem-solving skills

To effectively highlight your problem-solving skills:

• Use clear, concise language and maintain a professional tone.
• Start each bullet point of your work experience with a strong action verb to convey the active role you played in solving problems.
• Quantify your achievements to provide context and show the tangible impact of your problem-solving efforts.

By structuring your resume this way, you showcase your problem-solving skills and demonstrate your ability to communicate your value effectively to potential employers.

Tailoring problem-solving skills to job descriptions

While it can be tempting to list every problem-solving skill you have, there's something to keep in mind. The job of your resume is to align your experience with the role you're applying for. And that means using a strategic approach to analyzing job descriptions and customizing your resume.

Analyzing job descriptions for problem-solving skills

Begin by reading the job description. Pay close attention to the language. Are they looking for analytical skills, research, or collaboration? Identifying these keywords is the foundation for tailoring your resume.

If you want to save time and streamline your approach, the Teal AI Resume Builder and Job Application Tracker pull hard skills, soft skills, and other important language from the job description to make this easy!

Customize your resume

Once you clearly understand what a prospective employer is looking for, it's time to list problem-solving skills accordingly.

Highlight specific instances from your professional experience—for example, when you've used critical thinking skills successfully or applied similar problem-solving skills. Include these keywords alongside metrics and impact to provide concert proof of your skills. (If you're not sure which terms or phrases align, try using resume synonyms .)

Once you've finished tailoring, compare your resume to a job description to see how well it aligns using Teal's Match Score tool.

Add problem-solving skills to your resume with Teal

Problem-solving skills are important—they're essential tools that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex situations and find effective solutions. They show employers you're ready to tackle challenges and drive results.

Teal can help you add them to your resume quickly and easily.

With expert guidance that helps you highlight these crucial skills in the right sections using the most optimal keywords, plus a Match Score to ensure your skills align perfectly with specific job requirements—Teal is your partner every step of the way.

Ready to make your resume problem-solving skills shine? Sign up for Teal for free today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i showcase problem-solving skills on my resume even if my previous job roles were not directly related to problem-solving, how can i quantify my problem-solving skills on a resume to make a stronger impact, should i include problem-solving skills in both the skills section and work experience section of my resume.

Kayte Grady

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Information For

Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

Sample Behaviors

• Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment
• Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem
• Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps
• Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes
• Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders
• Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment

Over the course of  your educational experience at TU, you can gain proficiency with critical thinking through some of the following methods:

• Attend presentations, interactive conferences, and seminars around campus
• Collaborate with other students in and outside of class (join a   student club or organization — could be academic, honors, social or athletic)
• Join the   Undergraduate Research Club
• Practice brainstorming skills
• Attend and explore on- and off-campus conference opportunities
• Seek out opportunities that encourage abstract thinking (Club, organization,   Study Abroad & Away Office   program, interactive seminar)
• Actively participate in solving issues around the community and get involved with community engagement projects
• Find part-time or full-time work opportunities  (find on- and off-campus work through   Handshake  — any experience helps)
• Work as a research assistant to a faculty member
• Take advantage of programs and resources offered by the Office of Research and Creative Inquiry
• Practice and improve research skills (visit the Cook Library help desk for research tips)
• Complete   Internships   and other experiential learning opportunities, such as project-based micro-internships and Forage job simulations (schedule an appointment with the Career Center)
• Complete an independent study
• Conduct an extensive research project- explore a problem in your field and/or community and generate solutions
• Lead a discussion or seminar on campus
• Apply to present at  the annual  Research & Creative Inquiry Forum
• Take on a challenge through the MindSumo crowd sourcing platform
• Participate in a Hack-a-thon

Develop your skills

Linkedin learning.

Develop your critical thinking skills by completing these free LinkedIn Learning courses. Select the course title below, click “Sign in,” and use your TU email to get started.

• Improving Your Thinking
• Developing a Critical Thinking Mindset
• Critical Thinking for More Effective Communication
• Critical Thinking for Better Judgment and Decision-Making
• Making Key Decisions as a Manager
• Making Better Decisions by Thinking in Bets
• Active Listening: The Secret to Effective Communication
• Solving Business Problems
• Prioritizing Effectively as a Leader
• Using Questions to Foster Critical Thinking and Curiosity

Use the following list of action verbs to describe related activities:

• Adapt; adjust; analyze; conclude; consolidate; clarify; critique; determine; diagnose; evaluate; examine; fix; gather; identify; improve; increase; innovate; inspect; investigate; observe; organize; recommend; reflect; research; resolve; review; streamline; summarize; test

Sample Resume Bullet Points

• Researched global poverty to compile presentations for weekly meetings
• Examined client applications to ascertain eligibility for micro-loans
• Organized Honors Speaker Series which incorporates involvement of Honors College alumni and local business representatives
• Analyzed monthly analytical reports, identified areas for improvement and made recommendations based on findings

For additional resume assistance, visit the Career Center's   Resumes   page or schedule an  appointment . 

Interview Questions

Be prepared to answer common critical thinking and problem solving interview questions including:

• Describe a time when you had to make a decision with incomplete information. What did you do?
• Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion to improve the work in an organization or company.
• Tell me about a time when you were particularly effective at prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule. 
• Describe a time when you came up with an innovative or creative solution to a problem.
• Describe a situation where you had many alternatives to consider. How did you choose one? 
• Tell me about a time when you had to analyze information and make a recommendation. What was your thought process and how did you support your recommendation? 
• Describe a time when you were caught off guard by an unforeseen problem or obstacle.

How to Emphasize Strategic Thinking Skills on Your Resume

Here are the top ways to show your strategic thinking skills on your resume. Find out relevant strategic thinking keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

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In This Guide:

What are strategic thinking skills, why is strategic thinking wanted by recruiters on your resume, what skills, activities and accomplishments help you highlight your strategic thinking, strategic thinking: key takeaways for your resume.

Any company in any field needs a strategy to exist. A business strategy is a set of plans and actions to achieve the goals that outline how the company will compete in the market.

Creating a strategy involves strategic thinking. This ability involves the generation and application of unique business insights and opportunities intended to create a competitive plan of action for your organization. In other words - thinking two steps ahead. Strategic thinking is all about being prepared for the future.

As a strategic thinker, you can come up with successful plans of action by nature. And you often bring new points of view to the table.

Your strategic thinking skills allow you to detail a step-by-step action plan. You can find creative ways to save the company money and time.

Strategic thinking skills are among the most highly sought-after skills recruiters looking for in applicants. The ability to think logically and critically can have an enormous impact on the business direction. Showing on your resume that you actually have strategic thinking qualities increase the chance to be chosen for the position. Explain that you can imagine what could be, that you can create an action plan and strictly follow it to achieve the goal, the company set’s to you.

The business environment is always shifting and transforming. Every organization and business area may be affected by these changes. That’s why companies need employees who can incorporate in their everyday work strategic thinking. Forecasting the upcoming changes and quickly adapting the business trajectory is the key in strategic thinking.

On a personal level, strategic thinking can contribute to your role in the company and help you become a valuable employee.

Develop any skills that enable you to use critical thinking to solve difficult problems and have a clear vision of the business environment. Strategic thinking requires research, analytical thinking, innovation, problem-solving skills, communication and leadership skills.

• Research skills are the ability to find and evaluate useful information related to the project you are working on. Understanding the environment and providing answers underneath the surface of the issue. Having this information will help you to make better decisions and have better solutions for the future.
• Analytical skill is a key element to strategic thinking. The ability to quickly identify the situation and provide new solutions to old problems.
• Innovation skills are the knowledge you use to adapt to change. This set of skills are helping you to solve problems in a creative way. Generate ideas that can improve the processes of your work.
• Problem-solving skills help you solve issues that may occur, quickly and effectively. This is important to your strategic thinking because it shows how easy you can adapt to change without allowing the circumstances to affect the main goal.
• Communication skills and strategic think are deeply related to one another. If you know how to communicate effectively, you know how to apply successfully in your work strategic thinking. Strategic thinking involves taking what you have and using it to achieve your goals.
• Leadership skills are to make decisions quickly with the information that you have. Be influential to the team and organize the people to reach a shared goal.

How to demonstrate strategic thinking on your resume:

• Developed financial models and analyses related to new business development strategies.
• Provided actionable insights by leading strategic design and executing user-centric research.
• Established thoughtful and provocative marketing strategies, creative briefs, and branding ideas.

Example 1: Demonstrate strategic thinking in the experience section

• • Developed and rolled out digital marketing strategy that enabled 22% profitability gain.
• • Develop a new content marketing approach and increased three times the organic leads per dollar spent than paid search marketing.
• • Orchestrated the successful launch of the social media marketing campaign of a new product. Wich generated over 300 new customer leads on the first day of the campaign, resulting in an over 5% increase in bottom-line profitability.
• • Initiated focus on conversion rates and introduced a post-click marketing platform increasing on-page conversion.

Show on your resume that you have effective strategic planning skills which give results. These examples indicate, that they have the needed skills to create a strategic plan and execute to achieve the goals that were set for them. Provide good details that tell the whole story. Created and executed the strategy whit 22% profit gain, shows facts and this statement simply helps them to stand out more and tell a bigger story. The main goal of your resume is to tell the story. The story of your career strengths, achievements, and experiences.

Example 2: Demonstrate your strategic thinking skills in the resume summary section

On your resume, it’s not enough to show examples of your strategic thinking skills. In your resume summary, you must convince your future employer that you actually understand and apply strategic thinking in your personal and professional life. The example provides the key qualities of a person who has strategic thinking abilities. They know how important it is to have an action plan to achieve their goals. They present critical and analyzing tinging, to help them to evaluate results and avoid future problems. Planning, showing decisiveness, setting goals and welcoming feedback proves that they have strategic thinking skills.

Example 3: Show your strategic thinking in your achievements sections

To stand out from other applicants, it is advisable to give examples in the achievements' section on your resume. Show some of your achievements that prove your strategic thinking.

Don’t outline only duties and responsibilities. Be more concrete by telling how you applied your skills in a real situation when strategic thinking is needed.

These achievements sections exhibit some key skills of the applicant. They have very good planning expertise, with impressive results. They are capable of analyzing a variety of inputs, which is very important in strategic thinking.

• Strategic thinking is the most valuable, sought-after executive skill that is nearly always mentioned as a requirement in executive job postings.
• It is very important to demonstrate on your resume that you have the skill set on your resume and interviews.
• Try to demonstrate your strategic thinking skill set, all over your resume. Specifically, in your summary, in your job descriptions, and in your achievements section.
• Don’t outline only your duties and responsibilities. Tell the story of your achievements, and experiences with concrete goals and how your skill set of strategical thinking achieve them.

About this report:

Data reflects analysis made on over 1M resume profiles and examples over the last 2 years from Enhancv.com.

While those skills are most commonly met on resumes, you should only use them as inspiration and customize your resume for the given job.

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10 Most In-Demand Soft Skills to Put on Your Resume

L ong gone are the days when listing hard skills was the best (and oftentimes only) way to get your foot in the door at a prestigious company. While technical knowledge and training will always be important, soft skills (or essentially personality traits) are becoming increasingly important to highlight on your resume. And it makes sense, as more companies prioritize work culture and, therefore, the personalities of those they’re hiring.

But which soft skills are the ones that standout the most on a resume? Using data from Indeed.com, CashNetUSA scoured job ads for 46 predetermined soft skills to find the ones that appeared the most on high-paid jobs that surpassed the 75th percentile of wages in America’s most populated cities as well as each state. These are the soft skills that came out on top.

10. Resilience

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 34.29%

Resilience is a soft skill that highlights your ability to handle stress and challenges that come up at work. 

A good example of how to add this to your resume could be, “Showed resilience when leading a team after budget cuts by still delivering work on time and within scope.”

* Data comes from a January 2024 report released by CashNetUSA .

9. Financial Management

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 38.24%

If you’ve ever been in charge of a budget of any size, you can say that you have financial management skills. 

For instance, something like “oversaw the financial management of the freelance budget” could work if you hired contractors for a specific project.

8. Innovation

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 39.24%

Sure, this one makes our eyes roll a bit, too, but in today’s fast-paced world, innovation is key. No one wants an employee that stays stagnant or, worse, digs their heels in at the slight mention of change. 

You know who’s not stagnant? Someone who “excelled at brainstorming and ideation in the innovation process for [fill in project name].” You get it.

7. Emotional Intelligence

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 43.11%

We’re actually pleasantly surprised with this one. After all, we didn’t think corporations necessarily had it in them to care about this.

Jokes aside, having emotional intelligence is something that makes a good team member and an even better manager. After all, it’s hard to resolve team conflicts without it. The more a company emphasizes a “harmonious work environment,” the more this soft skill will matter.

6. Mentoring

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 47.89%

Here’s another managerial skill that job ads like to use to weed out the haves from the have-nots when it comes to managers. Do you actually enjoy mentoring people or have you just fallen up the corporate ladder into a management position?

True leaders will make mentoring a priority and want to highlight it on their resume.

5. Critical Thinking

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 47.94%

“Critical thinking” or “problem solving” can be put in the same bucket as resilience. How did you handle a challenging situation at work? It’s even better if you have data to back up your claim.

Well, maybe you “demonstrated strong critical-thinking skills when analyzing financial reports and making forecasts for the following quarter.”

4. Presentation Skills

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 56%

Presentation skills are the nature of the beast when it comes to today's Corporate America. That's because lots of today’s high-paying jobs require working with cross-functional teams and being able to explain your work in easy, digestible terms.

Think someone on a data science team explaining their findings to a marketing team. Along with "presentation skills," you could also add the specific presentation tools or software you use for your presentations on your resume.

3. Persuasion

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 57.41%

Persuasion sounds rather seductive, but it's crucial when trying to get specific projects across the finish line.

It's also a term that's used a lot in marketing when talking about "persuasive marketing skills" required to communicate well with a customer audience.

2. Negotiation

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 58.26%

This skill goes back to business basics. Proper negotiation skills come in handy in any aspect of life, whether you're negotiating a $1 billion merger or whether or not your toddler can have dessert for breakfast.

That said, it's a skill that takes time to hone — which is why it's considered all the more valuable.

1. Strategic Thinking

Percentage of highly paid jobs requiring the skill: 64.77%

Strategic thinking is essentially a combination of innovation and critical thinking, but the best way to incorporate this keyword on your resume is by using the CAR (challenge, action, result) technique.

You could say something like, "Used strategic thinking skills by analyzing user engagement data and running an A/B test that resulted in increased engagement of 20 percent."

For more resume advice, check out "How to Make Your Resume Shine."